may be sure, that Sheila
will never have to complain of me if she marries me. You say I don't
know her yet, but there will be plenty of time before we are married. I
don't propose to carry her off to-morrow morning. Now, Ingram, you know
what I mean about helping me in the fix--helping me with her father, you
know, and with herself, for the matter of that. You can do anything with
her, she has such a belief in you. You should hear how she talks of
you--you never heard anything like it."

It was an innocent bit of flattery, and Ingram smiled good-naturedly at
the boy's ingenuousness. After all, was he not more lovable and more
sincere in this little bit of simple craft, used in the piteousness of
his appeal, then when he was giving himself the airs of a
man-about-town, and talking of women in a fashion which, to do him
justice, expressed nothing of his real sentiments?

Ingram walked on, and said in his slow and deliberate way, "You know I
opposed this project of yours from the first. I don't think you have
acted fairly by Sheila or her father, or myself who brought you here.
But if Sheila has been drawn into it, why, then, the whole affair is
altered, and we've got to make the best of a bad business."

"I was sure you would say that," exclaimed the younger man with a
brighter light appearing on his face. "You may call me all the hard
names you like: I deserve them all, and more. But then, as you say,
since Sheila is in it, you'll do your best, won't you?"

Frank Lavender could not make out why the taciturn and sallow-faced man
walking beside him seemed to be greatly amused by this speech, but he
was in no humor to take offence. He knew that once Ingram had promised
him his help he would not lack all the advocacy, the advice, and even
the money--should that become necessary--that a warm-hearted and
disinterested friend could offer. Many and many a time Ingram had helped
him, and now he was to come to his assistance in the most serious crisis
of his life. Ingram would remove Sheila's doubts. Ingram would persuade
old Mackenzie that girls had to get married some time or other, and that
Sheila ought to live in London. Ingram would be commissioned to break
the news to Mrs. Lavender--But here, when the young man thought of the
interview with his aunt which he would have to encounter, a cold shiver
passed through his frame. He would not think of it. He would enjoy the
present hour. Difficulties only grew the bigger the mor